Article of footwear with elongated shock absorbing heel system

Abstract

An article of footwear is disclosed having at least one elongated heel support member. The elongated heel support member may be angled and extend from a heel region to a midfoot region, in order to disperse forces applied by a wearer's heel during movement. The heel system may include two heel support members, each associated with a side of the article of footwear. The article of footwear may also include a series of ribs in the midfoot region, which may abut a front edge of the heel support members. Finally, the article of footwear may include asymmetric side flaps extending downward from an upper plate so as to overlap a midsole.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An article of footwear, comprising:
 a sole; 
 the sole including an outsole, and a lower plate adjacent to the outsole; 
 the lower plate including at least one rib; 
 the lower plate further including a wall extending upward from the lower plate and aligned transversely across the article of footwear, the wall being located in a midfoot region of the article of footwear; where 
 the at least one rib extends from the wall towards a heel region of the article of footwear; 
 wherein the at least one rib has a triangular shape, and the at least one rib is aligned such that a substantially right angle associated with the shape of rib is located between the wall and the lower plate. 
 
     
     
       2. The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the sole further includes an upper plate, the at least one rib extending vertically upwards from the lower plate towards the upper plate. 
     
     
       3. The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the lower plate includes multiple ribs. 
     
     
       4. The article of footwear of  claim 3 , wherein the lower plate includes:
 a first group of at least one rib, a center rib, and a second group of at least one rib; where 
 the first group and the second group are symmetric in shape and location about the center rib. 
 
     
     
       5. The article of footwear of  claim 4 , wherein the first group includes three ribs and the second group includes three ribs. 
     
     
       6. The article of footwear of  claim 4 , wherein each rib in the first group and each rib in the second group has a respective length, each respective length being less than a length of the center rib. 
     
     
       7. The article of footwear of  claim 6 , wherein each respective length decreases as a distance between each rib and the center rib increases. 
     
     
       8. The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein
 the lower plate includes a first substantially flat portion, the first substantially flat portion being located in a heel region of the article of footwear; and the outsole includes a raised edge that overlaps a side perimeter of the lower plate around the first substantially flat portion. 
 
     
     
       9. The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the lower plate includes a second substantially flat portion, the second substantially flat portion be located in a midfoot region of the article of footwear. 
     
     
       10. The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the lower plate includes
 a first substantially flat portion, the first substantially flat portion being located in a heel region of the article of footwear; 
 a second substantially flat portion, the second substantially flat portion be located in a midfoot region of the article of footwear; and 
 the wall and at least one rib are located between the first substantially flat portion and the second substantially flat portion. 
 
     
     
       11. An article of footwear, comprising:
 a sole; 
 the sole including an outsole, a lower plate; a first heel support member, and second heel support member; 
 the lower plate being arranged between the outsole and the first and second heel support members; 
 the lower plate including at least one rib; 
 the lower plate further including a wall extending upward from the lower plate and aligned transversely across the article of footwear, the wall being located in a midfoot region of the article of footwear; 
 wherein the at least one rib extends from the wall towards a heel region of the article of footwear; and 
 wherein the first heel support member is associated with a lateral side of the article of footwear, the second heel support member is associated with a medial side of the article of footwear, and the first heel support member and the second heel support member have substantially similar shapes while being symmetric about a heel-toe center axis of the article of footwear. 
 
     
     
       12. The article of footwear of  claim 11 , wherein
 the sole further includes an upper plate, the first heel support member and the second heel support member being located between the lower plate and the upper plate. 
 
     
     
       13. The article of footwear of  claim 11 , wherein
 the first heel support member includes a first top side and a first bottom side; 
 the second support member includes a second top side and a second bottom side; and 
 the first bottom side and the second bottom side are contiguous with a first substantially flat portion of the lower plate. 
 
     
     
       14. The article of footwear of  claim 11 , wherein
 the first heel support structure includes a first forward portion extending from a heel region to a midfoot region of the article of footwear; 
 the second heel support structure includes a second forward portion extending from a heel region to a midfoot region of the article of footwear; 
 the first forward portion includes a first angled top surface, the second forward portion includes a second angled top surface; and 
 each of the first angled top surface and the second angled top surface is disposed at an angle with respect to the first substantially flat portion of the lower plate. 
 
     
     
       15. The article of footwear of  claim 11 , wherein
 the lower plate includes a first group of at least one rib, a center rib, and a second group of at least one rib; 
 the first group and the second group are symmetric in shape and location about the center rib; 
 the first group of at least one rib is adjacent to the first heel support structure; 
 the center rib is adjacent to a space between the first heel support member and the second heel support member; and 
 the second group of at least one rib is adjacent to the second heel support member. 
 
     
     
       16. The article of footwear of  claim 11 , wherein
 the lower plate includes a ridge extending upward from the lower plate, the ridge being located between the at least one rib and the first and second heel support members. 
 
     
     
       17. The article of footwear of  claim 14 , wherein
 the lower plate includes a ridge extending upward from the lower plate, the ridge being located between the at least one rib and the first and second heel support members; 
 the first forward portion has a first front edge, the second forward portion has a second front edge, the first front edge and the second front edge being contiguous with the ridge; and 
 each of the first forward portion and the second forward portion tapers to a height at each of the first front edge and second front edge that is substantially equal to a height of the ridge. 
 
     
     
       18. The article of footwear of  claim 11 , wherein
 the wall is contiguous with a lateral side wall and a medial side wall; and each of the lateral side wall and the medial side wall have a shape of a triangle, and each of the lateral side wall and the medial side wall are aligned such that a substantially right angle of each shape is located between the wall and the lower plate. 
 
     
     
       19. The article of footwear of  claim 18 , wherein
 the wall includes a wall top surface; 
 the lateral side wall includes a lateral side wall top surface, and the medial 
 side wall includes a medial side wall top surface; 
 the wall top surface, the lateral side wall top surface and the medial side wall top surface are substantially coplanar; and 
 the sole further includes an upper plate, the upper plate being contiguous with each of the wall top surface, the later side wall top surface, and the medial side wall top surface. 
 
     
     
       20. The article of footwear of  claim 19 , wherein
 the lower plate includes a second substantially flat portion, the second substantially flat portion being located in a midfoot region of the article of footwear; 
 the second substantially flat portion including a rear flat region bounded laterally by the lateral side wall and the medial side wall, and a front flat region adjacent to the rear flat region; and 
 the upper plate is contiguous with the front flat region. 
 
     
     
       21. The article of footwear of  claim 11 , wherein
 the sole further includes an upper plate; 
 the upper plate including a lateral side flap and a medial side flap; 
 the lateral side flap being located in a heel region of the article of footwear, and extending downward from the upper plate such that the lateral side flap overlaps a lateral side of the first heel support member; 
 the medial side flap being located in a heel region of the article of footwear, and extending downward from the upper plate such that the medial side flap overlaps a medial side of the second heel support member. 
 
     
     
       22. The article of footwear of  claim 21 , wherein
 the lateral side flap has a first horizontal stiffness; 
 the medial side flap has a second horizontal stiffness; and 
 the second horizontal stiffness is greater than the first horizontal stiffness. 
 
     
     
       23. An article of footwear, comprising:
 a sole; 
 the sole including an outsole, and a lower plate adjacent to the outsole; 
 the lower plate including at least one rib; 
 the lower plate further including a wall extending upward from the lower plate and aligned transversely across the article of footwear, the wall being located in a midfoot region of the article of footwear; where 
 the at least one rib extends from the wall towards a heel region of the article of footwear; 
 wherein the lower plate includes multiple ribs; and 
 wherein the lower plate includes: 
 a first group of at least one rib, a center rib, and a second group of at least one rib; where the first group and the second group are symmetric in shape and location about the center rib. 
 
     
     
       24. An article of footwear, comprising:
 a sole; 
 the sole including an outsole, a lower plate; a first heel support member, and second heel support member; 
 the lower plate being arranged between the outsole and the first and second heel support members; 
 the lower plate including at least one rib; 
 the lower plate further including a wall extending upward from the lower plate and aligned transversely across the article of footwear, the wall being located in a midfoot region of the article of footwear; 
 wherein the at least one rib extends from the wall towards a heel region of the article of footwear; 
 wherein the first heel support member includes a first top side and a first bottom side; 
 the second support member includes a second top side and a second bottom side; and 
 the first bottom side and the second bottom side are contiguous with a first substantially flat portion of the lower plate. 
 
     
     
       25. An article of footwear, comprising:
 a sole; 
 the sole including an outsole, a lower plate; a first heel support member, and second heel support member; 
 the lower plate being arranged between the outsole and the first and second heel support members; 
 the lower plate including at least one rib; 
 the lower plate further including a wall extending upward from the lower plate and aligned transversely across the article of footwear, the wall being located in a midfoot region of the article of footwear; 
 wherein the at least one rib extends from the wall towards a heel region of the article of footwear; and wherein 
 the first heel support structure includes a first forward portion extending from a heel region to a midfoot region of the article of footwear; 
 the second heel support structure includes a second forward portion extending from a heel region to a midfoot region of the article of footwear; 
 the first forward portion includes a first angled top surface, the second forward portion includes a second angled top surface; and 
 each of the first angled top surface and the second angled top surface is disposed at an angle with respect to the first substantially flat portion of the lower plate. 
 
     
     
       26. An article of footwear, comprising:
 a sole; 
 the sole including an outsole, a lower plate; a first heel support member, and second heel support member; 
 the lower plate being arranged between the outsole and the first and second heel support members; 
 the lower plate including at least one rib; 
 the lower plate further including a wall extending upward from the lower plate and aligned transversely across the article of footwear, the wall being located in a midfoot region of the article of footwear; 
 wherein the at least one rib extends from the wall towards a heel region of the article of footwear; and wherein 
 the lower plate includes a first group of at least one rib, a center rib, and a second group of at least one rib; 
 the first group and the second group are symmetric in shape and location about the center rib; 
 the first group of at least one rib is adjacent to the first heel support structure; 
 the center rib is adjacent to a space between the first heel support member and the second heel support member; and 
 the second group of at least one rib is adjacent to the second heel support member. 
 
     
     
       27. An article of footwear, comprising:
 a sole; 
 the sole including an outsole, a lower plate; a first heel support member, and second heel support member; 
 the lower plate being arranged between the outsole and the first and second heel support members; 
 the lower plate including at least one rib; 
 the lower plate further including a wall extending upward from the lower plate and aligned transversely across the article of footwear, the wall being located in a midfoot region of the article of footwear; 
 wherein the at least one rib extends from the wall towards a heel region of the article of footwear; and wherein 
 the lower plate includes a ridge extending upward from the lower plate, the ridge being located between the at least one rib and the first and second heel support members. 
 
     
     
       28. An article of footwear, comprising:
 a sole; 
 the sole including an outsole, a lower plate; a first heel support member, and second heel support member; 
 the lower plate being arranged between the outsole and the first and second heel support members; 
 the lower plate including at least one rib; 
 the lower plate further including a wall extending upward from the lower plate and aligned transversely across the article of footwear, the wall being located in a midfoot region of the article of footwear; 
 wherein the at least one rib extends from the wall towards a heel region of the article of footwear; and wherein 
 the wall is contiguous with a lateral side wall and a medial side wall; and each of the lateral side wall and the medial side wall have a shape of a triangle, and each of the lateral side wall and the medial side wall are aligned such that a substantially right angle of each shape is located between the wall and the lower plate. 
 
     
     
       29. An article of footwear, comprising:
 a sole; 
 the sole including an outsole, a lower plate; a first heel support member, and second heel support member; 
 the lower plate being arranged between the outsole and the first and second heel support members; 
 the lower plate including at least one rib; 
 the lower plate further including a wall extending upward from the lower plate and aligned transversely across the article of footwear, the wall being located in a midfoot region of the article of footwear; 
 wherein the at least one rib extends from the wall towards a heel region of the article of footwear; and wherein 
 the sole further includes an upper plate; 
 the upper plate including a lateral side flap and a medial side flap; 
 the lateral side flap being located in a heel region of the article of footwear, and extending downward from the upper plate such that the lateral side flap overlaps a lateral side of the first heel support member; 
 the medial side flap being located in a heel region of the article of footwear, and extending downward from the upper plate such that the medial side flap overlaps a medial side of the second heel support member.